U.S. patent application number 16/932301 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-21 for virtual tile routing for navigating complex transit hubs.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Regents of the University of California. The applicant listed for this patent is The Regents of the University of California. Invention is credited to Jonathan Lam, Roberto Manduchi, Fatemeh Mirzaei.
Application Number | 20210018321 16/932301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005000999 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210018321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lam; Jonathan ; et
al. |
January 21, 2021 |
VIRTUAL TILE ROUTING FOR NAVIGATING COMPLEX TRANSIT HUBS
Abstract
A computer implemented method or system for creating a route for
navigating a transit hub or plaza using an application executing on
a user's mobile device. The application accesses a tessellated map
comprising first tiles each including a different area of interest
on the map; and second tiles including a walkable area connecting
the different areas of interest. The application highlights one of
the first tiles including one of the different areas of interest
selected using input from the user; highlights one of the second
tiles including a location of the mobile device on the map; and
highlights a series of the second tiles linking the location to the
one of the areas of interest. A method of creating the tessellated
map is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Lam; Jonathan; (Santa Cruz,
CA) ; Mirzaei; Fatemeh; (Santa Cruz, CA) ;
Manduchi; Roberto; (Santa Cruz, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Regents of the University of California |
Oakland |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The Regents of the University of
California
Oakland
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005000999 |
Appl. No.: |
16/932301 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62875163 |
Jul 17, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3664 20130101;
G01C 21/28 20130101; G01C 21/3629 20130101; G01C 21/3423
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/34 20060101
G01C021/34; G01C 21/36 20060101 G01C021/36; G01C 21/28 20060101
G01C021/28 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] This invention was made with Government support under Grant
No. PFI 1632158, awarded by the National Foundation Science. The
Government has certain rights in the invention.
Claims
1. A computer implemented system, comprising: one or more
processors; one or more memories; and an application stored in the
one or more memories, wherein the application executed by the one
or more processors: accesses a tessellated map, the tessellated map
comprising a plurality of tiles on a map of a transit hub or plaza,
wherein the tiles comprise: first tiles, each of the first tiles
including a different area of interest on the map; and second
tiles, wherein a combination of the second tiles includes a
walkable area connecting the areas of interest; and causes a
display or a speaker of a mobile device coupled to the one or more
processors to: indicate one of the first tiles including one of the
different areas of interest selected using input from the user;
indicate the one of the second tiles including a location of the
mobile device on the map; and indicate a series of the second tiles
linking the location to the one of the areas of interest.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the application requests input of
the areas of interest comprising at least one area selected from a
boarding area, a ticketing area, a ticket checking area, a crossing
area, a shelter area, and an exit area.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein: the application requests a
destination served using a departure from a boarding area in the
transit hub; and the one of the different areas of interest
comprises the boarding area.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the application receives or
determines the boarding area using data on a server computer
coupled to the mobile device, the data comprising information on
the boarding area associated with a transport route serving the
destination from the transit hub.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the transport route is a bus
route, a railway route, a taxi route, or a flight route.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the application indicates the one
of second tiles including the location of the user as the user
moves in relation to the one of the different areas of
interest.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the application indicates the
tiles on the display using a color.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the application indicates the
tiles on the display using highlighting or a representation
readable by the user comprising a visually impaired user.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the application causes the
speaker of the mobile device to output: a verbal signal identifying
the second tile including the user's current location with respect
to a relevant landmark, and a verbal instruction providing a
direction to the next tile in the series of the tiles leading to
the area of interest.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the application sizes the tiles
on the display to represent an area in the transit hub or plaza in
a range of 1 foot by 1 foot to 10 feet by 10 feet.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the tiles are sized so that an
entirety of the route is highlighted using the tiles on a display
of the mobile device.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein: the tiles comprise shapes or
polygons, and the tessellated map comprises the tiles fitted
together in a pattern on the map without gaps or overlapping
between the tiles.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the application receives the
location determined using a global positioning system (GPS) or a
beacon signal received in the mobile device.
14. The system of claim 12, further comprising the mobile device
receiving the beacon signal transmitted from one of a plurality of
transmitters in the transit hub or the plaza.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the application receives the
tessellated map from a server computer in response to a request
from the application executed on the mobile device.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein: the plaza comprises a shopping
mall, a hospital, office buildings, or a factory, or the transit
hub comprises an airport, metro station, railway station, or bus
station.
17. A computer implemented method, comprising: creating a route for
navigating a transit hub or plaza using an application executing on
a user's mobile device, including: accessing a tessellated map, the
tessellated map comprising tiles on a map of a transit hub or a
plaza, wherein the tiles comprise: first tiles, each of the first
tiles including a different area of interest on the map; and second
tiles, wherein a plurality of the second tiles include a walkable
area connecting the different areas of interest; indicating one of
the first tiles including one of the different areas of interest
selected using input from the user; indicating one of the second
tiles including a location of the mobile device on the map; and
indicating a series of the second tiles linking the location to the
one of the different areas of interest.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicating comprises
indicating the one of second tiles including the location of the
user as the user moves in relation to the one of the different
areas of interest.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicating comprises
highlighting using a color.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicating comprises
highlighting using a representation readable by the user comprising
a visually impaired user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section
119(e) of co-pending and commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/875,163, filed Jul. 17, 2019, by Jonathan Lam,
Fatemeh Mirzaei, and Roberto Manduchi, entitled "VIRTUALTILE
ROUTING FOR NAVIGATING COMPLEX TRANSIT HUBS," attorney's docket
284.0001USP1 (UC Ref 2019-905-1), which application is incorporated
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to methods and systems for
navigating complex transit hubs and plazas.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Many travelers may be confused when moving in complex
transit hubs, especially if they have visual or cognitive
impairments. What is needed is a user friendly system with
sufficiently small scale resolution to navigate within a transit
hub. The present invention satisfies this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments of the systems illustrated herein define
`virtual tiles` that tessellate the walkable areas of complex
transit hubs (e.g., multi-platform bus stops, train or light train
stations) or plazas such as, but not limited to, shopping malls,
marketplaces, and hospitals. A local route is then defined using
these tiles. The traveler is tracked as he or she moves in the
station, and is able to visualize his or her position in the tile
route, or to hear verbal information about the tile he or she is
located in (with respect to relevant landmarks) so that routing
information is provided in verbal form.
[0006] Embodiments of the systems or methods described herein
include, but are not limited to, the following.
[0007] 1. A computer implemented system, comprising:
[0008] one or more processors; one or more memories; and an
application stored in the one or more memories, wherein the
application executed by the one or more processors:
[0009] accesses a tessellated map, the tessellated map comprising a
plurality of tiles on a map of a transit hub or plaza, wherein the
tiles comprise: [0010] first tiles, each of the first tiles
including a different area of interest on the map; and [0011]
second tiles, wherein a combination of the second tiles includes a
walkable area connecting the areas of interest; and
[0012] causes a display or a speaker of a mobile device coupled to
the one or more processors to: [0013] indicate one of the first
tiles including one of the different areas of interest selected
using input from the user;
[0014] indicate the one of the second tiles including a location of
the mobile device on the map; and
[0015] indicate a series of the second tiles linking the location
to the one of the areas of interest.
[0016] 2. The system of example 1, wherein the application requests
input of the areas of interest comprising at least one area
selected from a boarding area, a ticketing area, a ticket checking
area, a crossing area, a shelter area, and an exit area.
[0017] 3. The system of example 1, wherein:
[0018] the application requests a destination served using a
departure from a boarding area in the transit hub; and
[0019] the one of the different areas of interest comprises the
boarding area.
[0020] 4. The system of example 3, wherein the application receives
or determines the boarding area using data on a server computer
coupled to the mobile device, the data comprising information on
the boarding area associated with a transport route serving the
destination from the transit hub.
[0021] 5. The system of example 4, wherein the transport route is a
bus route, a railway route, a taxi route, or a flight route.
[0022] 6. The system of example 1, wherein the application
indicates the one of second tiles including the location of the
user as the user moves in relation to the one of the different
areas of interest.
[0023] 7. The system of example 1, wherein the application
indicates the tiles on the display using a color.
[0024] 8. The system of example 1, wherein the application
indicates the tiles on the display using highlighting or a
representation readable by the user comprising a visually impaired
user.
[0025] 9. The system of example 1, wherein the application causes
the speaker of the mobile device to output:
[0026] a verbal signal identifying the second tile including the
user's current location with respect to a relevant landmark,
and
[0027] a verbal instruction providing a direction to the next tile
in the series of the tiles leading to the area of interest.
[0028] 10. The system of example 1, wherein the application sizes
the tiles on the display to represent an area in the transit hub or
plaza in a range of 1 foot by 1 foot to 10 feet by 10 feet.
[0029] 11. The system of example 1, wherein the tiles are sized so
that an entirety of the route is highlighted using the tiles on a
display of the mobile device.
[0030] 12. The system of example 1, wherein:
[0031] the tiles comprise shapes or polygons, and
[0032] the tessellated map comprises the tiles fitted together in a
pattern on the map without gaps or overlapping between the
tiles.
[0033] 13. The system of example 1, wherein the application
receives the location determined using a global positioning system
(GPS) or a beacon signal received in the mobile device.
[0034] 14. The system of example 12, further comprising the mobile
device receiving the beacon signal transmitted from one of a
plurality of transmitters in the transit hub or the plaza.
[0035] 15. The system of example 1, wherein the application
receives the tessellated map from a server computer in response to
a request from the application executed on the mobile device.
[0036] 16. The system of example 1, wherein:
[0037] the plaza comprises a shopping mall, a hospital, office
buildings, or a factory, or
[0038] the transit hub comprises an airport, metro station, railway
station, or bus station.
[0039] 17. A computer implemented method, comprising:
[0040] creating a route for navigating a transit hub or plaza using
an application executing on a user's mobile device, including:
[0041] accessing a tessellated map, the tessellated map comprising
tiles on a map of a transit hub or a plaza, wherein the tiles
comprise: [0042] first tiles, each of the first tiles including a
different area of interest on the map; and [0043] second tiles,
wherein a plurality of the second tiles include a walkable area
connecting the different areas of interest;
[0044] indicating one of the first tiles including one of the
different areas of interest selected using input from the user;
[0045] indicating one of the second tiles including a location of
the mobile device on the map; and
[0046] indicating a series of the second tiles linking the location
to the one of the different areas of interest.
[0047] 18. The method of example 17, wherein the indicating
comprises indicating the one of second tiles including the location
of the user as the user moves in relation to the one of the
different areas of interest.
[0048] 19. The method of example 17, wherein the indicating
comprises highlighting using a color.
[0049] 20. The method of example 17, wherein the indicating
comprises highlighting using a representation readable by the user
comprising a visually impaired user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
[0051] FIG. 1. Flowchart illustrating a method of navigating a
transit hub, according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0052] FIGS. 2A and 2B (enlarged view of FIG. 2A) are sample screen
shots on a display showing a conventional mapping service only
provides a generic starting location at the rail station.
[0053] FIGS. 2C-2D are sample screenshots of a display taken during
a test of the RouteMe2 application at the Diridon light rail,
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention,
wherein FIG. 2C shows the navigation system RouteMe2 defines a set
of tiles and local route from the current user's location (green
tile) to the correct boarding location (red tile) and FIG. 2D shows
the local route is updated as the user moves.
[0054] FIGS. 3A and 3B (enlarged view of FIG. 3A) are sample screen
shots on a display showing a conventional mapping service only
provides a generic starting location for a bus trip.
[0055] FIGS. 3C and 3D. Sample screenshots taken during a test of
the RouteMe2 application at the Cahill bus stop, according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3C
RouteMe2 defines a set of tiles and local route from the current
user's location (green tile) to the correct boarding location (red
tile) and FIG. 3D shows the local route is updated as the user
moves.
[0056] FIG. 4. Flowchart illustrating a method of creating a route
for navigating a transport hub or plaza, according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 5. Flowchart illustrating a method of creating tiles
for use in a navigation system, according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 6. Example hardware environment for implementing the
methods described herein.
[0059] FIG. 7. Example communications network linking a server
(e.g., cloud computer) to a mobile device so as to implement the
methods described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0060] In the following description of the preferred embodiment,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific
embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
Technical Description
[0061] The present disclosure describes a new functionality
designed to help travelers navigate complex and/or confusing
transit hubs or plaza. Embodiments of the present invention can be
a standalone application or implemented as an add-on to existing
transit applications (apps). Users of this technology include, but
are not limited to, persons who have difficulties accessing the
type of spatial information that is necessary for safe, independent
travel. These may be people include persons with low vision or
blindness, people with cognitive impairments, people who cannot
speak English, or seniors. These travelers may have difficulties
understanding which platform they should board a light rail on;
finding the gate for rail crossing; or identifying the correct
boarding location in bus hub with multiple stops.
First Example
[0062] Transit apps such as Google Maps.TM. normally define a
single location (e.g., from the General Transit Feed Specification
(GTFS) file provided by the agency) for a bus hub or for a
train/light rail station. While this is useful for "getting there,"
conventional transit apps lack the fine-grain spatial information
that is needed for successfully negotiating the trip.
[0063] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
(e.g., RouteMe2 technology) addressing the above described problems
of the conventional art using the following steps.
[0064] Block 100 represents tessellating the walking areas of the
transit station/bus hub with a number of tiles of appropriate size.
In various examples, these tiles may have specific meanings (e.g.,
the boarding area for a bus stop), and may contain specific
landmarks (e.g. a shelter, a Clipper card reader, a rail crossing
area). In one or more embodiments, each tile is accompanied with a
textual description for use by blind travelers. In one or more
further embodiments, tiles are represented in Geo-JSON format and
the phone app pulls this information from the cloud server when
needed.
[0065] Block 102 represents determining the boarding tile for any
given trip. FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate the example of the Diridon
light rail station, wherein the boarding tile is on the East
platform for North-bound trains, and on the West platform for
South-bound trains. FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate the example of the
Cahill bus hub, showing the boarding tile depends on the bus line
used for that trip. In one or more examples, this information is
not directly available from GTFS files or from Google Direction
API, and needs to be "mined" from other sources.
[0066] Block 104 represents computing and continuously updating a
local route from the tile where the traveler is currently located
to the boarding tile. The local route is highlighted on the map
shown on the phone. It can be used by the traveler at the transit
stop to determine in which direction to walk to reach the boarding
tile. For visually impaired users, the route could be expressed via
synthetic speech, using specific directions and landmarks for
orientation. For locations where GPS is unavailable (e.g. subways,
underground passages) or unreliable (e.g. Diridon light rail
station), BLE (Bluetooth low energy) beacons can be employed for
improved estimation and tracking of the user's location.
[0067] In one or more embodiments, the system can be extended so as
to cover the whole station, including train platforms, public
areas, and underground passages.
Second Example
Method for Creating a Route
[0068] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method creating a route
for navigating a transit hub or plaza using an application
executing on a user's mobile device.
[0069] Block 400 represents accessing a tessellated map, the
tessellated map comprising tiles on a map of the transit hub or the
plaza, wherein the tiles comprise:
[0070] (1) first tiles (e.g., destination or finish tiles), each of
the first tiles including a different area of interest on the map;
and
[0071] (2) second tiles, wherein a plurality of the second tiles
include a walkable area connecting the different areas of
interest.
[0072] Block 402 represents indicating (e.g., highlighting on a
display or through verbal cues) one of the first tiles (destination
tiles) including one of the different areas of interest selected
using input from the user.
[0073] Block 404 represents indicating (e.g., highlighting on a
display or through verbal cues) one of the second tiles (e.g.,
start tile) including a current location of the mobile device on
the map. In one or more examples, processors determine a location
of a user using a beacon or GPS and mark the location on the map
using one or more of the tiles. Destination tiles and start tiles
can be highlighted in different colors, for example.
[0074] Block 406 represents indicating (e.g., highlighting on a
display or verbal instructions) a series of the second tiles
linking the current location to the one of the areas of
interest.
Third Example
Method for Creating Tiles
[0075] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for creating
tiles for a navigating a transit hub or plaza on a computer.
[0076] Block 500 represents receiving a map of the transit hub or
the plaza, the map comprising a plurality of areas of interest in
the transit hub or the plaza and a walkable area connecting the
areas of interest.
[0077] Block 502 represents tessellating the map to form a
plurality of tiles on the map. The tiles comprise:
[0078] (1) first tiles (e.g., destination tiles), each of the first
tiles including a different one of the areas of interest; and
[0079] (2) a plurality of second tiles including the walkable
area.
[0080] The tiles are arranged so that a series of the tiles
including one of the first tiles and a plurality of the second
tiles can be linked so as to highlight or indicate a route from one
of the second tiles (including a user's location on the map) to one
of the first tiles including one of the different areas of interest
selected by the user.
[0081] Block 504 represents the end result, a computer implemented
navigation system comprising one or more processors; one or more
memories; and one or more programs stored in the one or more
memories, wherein the one or more programs executed by the one or
more processors (1) receive a map of a transit hub or plaza, the
map comprising a plurality of areas of interest in the transit hub
or plaza and a walkable area connecting the areas of interest; and
(2) tessellate the map to form a plurality of tiles on the map, so
that a series of the tiles including one of the first tiles and a
plurality of the second tiles can be linked so as to indicate a
route from one of the second tiles including a user's location on
the map to one of the first tiles including one of the areas of
interest selected by the user.
Fourth Example
Hardware Environment
[0082] FIG. 6 is an exemplary hardware and software environment 600
(referred to as a computer-implemented system and/or
computer-implemented method) used to implement one or more
embodiments of the invention. The hardware and software environment
includes a computer 602 and may include peripherals. Computer 602
may be a user/client computer, server computer, or may be a
database computer. The computer 602 comprises a hardware processor
604A and/or a special purpose hardware processor 604B (hereinafter
alternatively collectively referred to as processor 604) and a
memory 606, such as random access memory (RAM). The computer 602
may be coupled to, and/or integrated with, other devices, including
input/output (I/O) devices such as a keyboard 614, a cursor control
device 616 (e.g., a mouse, a pointing device, pen and tablet, touch
screen, multi-touch device, etc.) and a printer 628. In one or more
embodiments, computer 602 may be coupled to, or may comprise, a
portable or media viewing/listening device 632 (e.g., an MP3
player, IPOD, NOOK, portable digital video player, cellular device,
personal digital assistant, etc.). In yet another embodiment, the
computer 602 may comprise a multi-touch device, mobile phone,
gaming system, internet enabled television, television set top box,
or other internet enabled device executing on various platforms and
operating systems.
[0083] In one embodiment, the computer 602 operates by the hardware
processor 604A performing instructions defined by the computer
program 610 under control of an operating system 608. The computer
program 610 and/or the operating system 608 may be stored in the
memory 606 and may interface with the user and/or other devices to
accept input and commands and, based on such input and commands and
the instructions defined by the computer program 610 and operating
system 608, to provide output and results.
[0084] Output/results may be presented on the display 622 or
provided to another device for presentation or further processing
or action. In one embodiment, the display 622 comprises a liquid
crystal display (LCD) having a plurality of separately addressable
liquid crystals. Alternatively, the display 622 may comprise a
light emitting diode (LED) display having clusters of red, green
and blue diodes driven together to form full-color pixels. Each
liquid crystal or pixel of the display 622 changes to an opaque or
translucent state to form a part of the image on the display in
response to the data or information generated by the processor 604
from the application of the instructions of the computer program
610 and/or operating system 608 to the input and commands. The
image may be provided through a graphical user interface (GUI)
module 618. Although the GUI module 618 is depicted as a separate
module, the instructions performing the GUI functions can be
resident or distributed in the operating system 608, the computer
program 610, or implemented with special purpose memory and
processors.
[0085] In one or more embodiments, the display 622 is integrated
with/into the computer 602 and comprises a multi-touch device
having a touch sensing surface (e.g., track pod or touch screen)
with the ability to recognize the presence of two or more points of
contact with the surface. Examples of multi-touch devices include
mobile devices (e.g., IPHONE, NEXUS S, DROID devices, etc.), tablet
computers (e.g., IPAD, HP TOUCHPAD, SURFACE Devices, etc.),
portable/handheld game/music/video player/console devices (e.g.,
IPOD TOUCH, MP3 players, NINTENDO SWITCH, PLAYSTATION PORTABLE,
etc.), touch tables, and walls (e.g., where an image is projected
through acrylic and/or glass, and the image is then backlit with
LEDs).
[0086] Some or all of the operations performed by the computer 602
according to the computer program 610 instructions may be
implemented in a special purpose processor 604B. In this
embodiment, some or all of the computer program 610 instructions
may be implemented via firmware instructions stored in a read only
memory (ROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM) or flash
memory within the special purpose processor 604B or in memory 606.
The special purpose processor 604B may also be hardwired through
circuit design to perform some or all of the operations to
implement the present invention. Further, the special purpose
processor 604B may be a hybrid processor, which includes dedicated
circuitry for performing a subset of functions, and other circuits
for performing more general functions such as responding to
computer program 610 instructions. In one embodiment, the special
purpose processor 604B is an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC).
[0087] The computer 602 may also implement a compiler 612 that
allows an application or computer program 610 written in a
programming language such as C, C++, Assembly, SQL, PYTHON, PROLOG,
MATLAB, RUBY, RAILS, HASKELL, or other language to be translated
into processor 604 readable code. Alternatively, the compiler 612
may be an interpreter that executes instructions/source code
directly, translates source code into an intermediate
representation that is executed, or that executes stored
precompiled code. Such source code may be written in a variety of
programming languages such as JAVA, JAVASCRIPT, PERL, BASIC, etc.
After completion, the application or computer program 610 accesses
and manipulates data accepted from I/O devices and stored in the
memory 606 of the computer 602 using the relationships and logic
that were generated using the compiler 612.
[0088] The computer 602 also optionally comprises an external
communication device such as a modem, satellite link, Ethernet
card, or other device for accepting input from, and providing
output to, other computers 602.
[0089] In one embodiment, instructions implementing the operating
system 608, the computer program 610, and the compiler 612 are
tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium,
e.g., data storage device 620, which could include one or more
fixed or removable data storage devices, such as a zip drive,
floppy disc drive 624, hard drive, CD-ROM drive, tape drive, etc.
Further, the operating system 608 and the computer program 610 are
comprised of computer program 610 instructions which, when
accessed, read and executed by the computer 602, cause the computer
602 to perform the steps necessary to implement and/or use the
present invention or to load the program of instructions into a
memory 606, thus creating a special purpose data structure causing
the computer 602 to operate as a specially programmed computer
executing the method steps described herein. Computer program 610
and/or operating instructions may also be tangibly embodied in
memory 606 and/or data communications devices 630, thereby making a
computer program product or article of manufacture according to the
invention. As such, the terms "article of manufacture," "program
storage device," and "computer program product," as used herein,
are intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any
computer readable device or media.
[0090] Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that any
combination of the above components, or any number of different
components, peripherals, and other devices, may be used with the
computer 602.
[0091] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a typical
distributed/cloud-based computer system 700 using a network 704 to
connect client computers 702 to server computers 706. A typical
combination of resources may include a network 704 comprising the
Internet, LANs (local area networks), WANs (wide area networks),
SNA (systems network architecture) networks, or the like, clients
702 that are personal computers or workstations (as set forth in
FIG. 6), and servers 706 that are personal computers, workstations,
minicomputers, or mainframes (as set forth in FIG. 6). However, it
may be noted that different networks such as a cellular network
(e.g., GSM [global system for mobile communications] or otherwise),
a satellite based network, or any other type of network may be used
to connect clients 702 and servers 706 in accordance with
embodiments of the invention.
[0092] A network 704 such as the Internet connects clients 702 to
server computers 706. Network 704 may utilize ethernet, coaxial
cable, wireless communications, radio frequency (RF), etc. to
connect and provide the communication between clients 702 and
servers 706. Further, in a cloud-based computing system, resources
(e.g., storage, processors, applications, memory, infrastructure,
etc.) in clients 702 and server computers 706 may be shared by
clients 702, server computers 706, and users across one or more
networks. Resources may be shared by multiple users and can be
dynamically reallocated per demand. In this regard, cloud computing
may be referred to as a model for enabling access to a shared pool
of configurable computing resources.
[0093] Clients 702 may execute a client application or web browser
and communicate with server computers 706 executing web servers
710. Such a web browser is typically a program such as MICROSOFT
INTERNET EXPLORER/EDGE, MOZILLA FIREFOX, OPERA, APPLE SAFARI,
GOOGLE CHROME, etc. Further, the software executing on clients 702
may be downloaded from server computer 706 to client computers 702
and installed as a plug-in or ACTIVEX control of a web browser.
Accordingly, clients 702 may utilize ACTIVEX components/component
object model (COM) or distributed COM (DCOM) components to provide
a user interface on a display of client 702. The web server 710 is
typically a program such as MICROSOFT'S INTERNET INFORMATION
SERVER.
[0094] Web server 710 may host an Active Server Page (ASP) or
Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI)
application 712, which may be executing scripts. The scripts invoke
objects that execute business logic (referred to as business
objects). The business objects then manipulate data in database 716
through a database management system (DBMS) 714. Alternatively,
database 716 may be part of, or connected directly to, client 702
instead of communicating/obtaining the information from database
716 across network 704. When a developer encapsulates the business
functionality into objects, the system may be referred to as a
component object model (COM) system. Accordingly, the scripts
executing on web server 710 (and/or application 712) invoke COM
objects that implement the business logic. Further, server 706 may
utilize MICROSOFT'S TRANSACTION SERVER (MTS) to access required
data stored in database 716 via an interface such as ADO (Active
Data Objects), OLE DB (Object Linking and Embedding DataBase), or
ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity).
[0095] Generally, these components 700-716 all comprise logic
and/or data that is embodied in/or retrievable from device, medium,
signal, or carrier, e.g., a data storage device, a data
communications device, a remote computer or device coupled to the
computer via a network or via another data communications device,
etc. Moreover, this logic and/or data, when read, executed, and/or
interpreted, results in the steps necessary to implement and/or use
the present invention being performed.
[0096] Although the terms "user computer", "client computer",
and/or "server computer" are referred to herein, it is understood
that such computers 702 and 706 may be interchangeable and may
further include thin client devices with limited or full processing
capabilities, portable devices such as cell phones, notebook
computers, pocket computers, multi-touch devices, and/or any other
devices with suitable processing, communication, and input/output
capability. Embodiments of the invention are implemented as a
software/application on a client 602 or server computer 706.
Further, as described above, the client 602 or server computer 706
may comprise a thin client device or a portable device that has a
multi-touch-based display.
[0097] Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that any
combination of the above components, or any number of different
components, peripherals, and other devices, may be used with
computers 702 and 706.
[0098] One more embodiments may use Application Programming
Interfaces (APIs) such as, but not limited to, Google Maps
JavaScript API, Google Maps Directions API, Google Maps Distance
Matrix API, and Google Maps Roads API.
[0099] In one or more examples, the web application is developed in
Flask and the client application runs on iOS.
Software Embodiment Overview
[0100] Embodiments of the invention are implemented as a software
application on a client 702 or server computer 706. Further, as
described above, the client 702 or server computer 706 may comprise
a thin client device or a portable device that has a
multi-touch-based display.
Advantages and Improvements
[0101] Many travelers get confused when moving in complex transit
hubs, especially if they have visual or cognitive impairments. A
system according to embodiments illustrated herein and implemented
as a smartphone app can simplify navigation, ensuring that the user
can make it to destination (e.g. a train platform, the station
exit) by following local routing directions.
[0102] Typical navigation systems generate routes at relatively
large scales. They are unable, for example, to direct their user to
a specific bus stop location in a multi-platform stop, or to the
correct train platform. Besides the use of virtual tiles for
routing, a key feature of the systems illustrated herein is that it
automatically determines the "boarding tile" (the tile the user
needs to be in when boarding a bus vehicle or train cart) based on
the trip routing information (which can be obtained using services
such as Google Direction API or OpenTripPlanner). User localization
can be obtained using GPS or other systems, such as iBeacons.
System and Method Embodiments
[0103] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate the systems or methods described herein
can be embodied in many ways including, but not limited to, the
following (reference numbers in text referring to corresponding
parts in the figures).
[0104] 1. A computer implemented method comprising,
[0105] creating a route 200 for navigating a transit hub 202 or
plaza 300 using an application executing on a user's mobile device,
including:
[0106] accessing a tessellated map 204, the tessellated map
comprising tiles 206 on a map 208 of the transit hub or the plaza,
wherein the tiles comprise
[0107] first tiles 210, each of the first tiles including a
different area of interest 210a on the map; and
[0108] second tiles 212, wherein a plurality of the second tiles
include a walkable area connecting the different areas of
interest;
[0109] indicating one 214 of the first tiles including one of the
different areas of interest selected using input from the user;
[0110] indicating one 216 of the second tiles including a location
218 of the mobile device on the map; and
[0111] indicating a series 220 of the second tiles linking the
location to the one of the different areas of interest.
[0112] 2. The method of example 1, wherein the areas of interest
comprise at least one area selected from a boarding area 222, a
ticketing area, a ticket checking area, a crossing area, a shelter
area, and an exit area.
[0113] 3. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein:
[0114] the creating further comprises requesting a destination
served using a departure from a boarding area in the transit hub;
and
[0115] the one of the different areas of interest comprises the
boarding area.
[0116] 4. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
creating further comprises:
[0117] receiving or determining the boarding area using data on a
server computer coupled to the mobile device, the data comprising
information on the boarding area associated with a transport route
serving the destination from the transit hub (e.g., comprising a
railway station 250 or bus station 302).
[0118] 5. The method of example 4, wherein the transport route is a
bus route, a railway route, a taxi route, or a flight route.
[0119] 6. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
indicating comprises indicating the one of second tiles including
the location of the user as the user moves in relation to the one
of the different areas of interest.
[0120] 7. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
indicating comprises highlighting using a color 224.
[0121] 8. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
indicating comprises highlighting 226 using a representation
readable by the user comprising a visually impaired user.
[0122] 9. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
indicating comprises causing the mobile device to output:
[0123] a verbal signal identifying the second tile including the
user's current location with respect to a relevant landmark,
and
[0124] a verbal instruction providing a direction to the next tile
in the series of the tiles leading to the area of interest.
[0125] 10. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
tiles are sized to represent an area in the transit hub or plaza in
a range of 1 foot by 1 foot to 10 feet by 10 feet.
[0126] 11. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
tiles are sized so that an entirety of the route is highlighted
using the tiles on a display of the mobile device.
[0127] 12. The method of any of the preceding examples,
wherein:
[0128] the tiles comprise shapes or polygons, and
[0129] the tessellated map comprises the tiles fitted together in a
pattern on the map without gaps or overlapping between the
tiles.
[0130] 13. The method of any of the preceding examples, further
comprising determining the location using a global positioning
system (GPS) or a beacon signal received in the mobile device.
[0131] 14. The method of example 13, wherein the beacon signal is
transmitted from one of a plurality of transmitters in the transit
hub or the plaza.
[0132] 15. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
creating further comprises:
[0133] receiving the tessellated map from a server computer in
response to a request from the application executed on the mobile
device.
[0134] 16. The method of any of the preceding examples,
wherein:
[0135] the plaza comprises a shopping mall, a hospital, office
buildings, or a factory, or
[0136] the transit hub comprises an airport, metro station, railway
station, or bus station.
[0137] 17. A computer implemented system 600, comprising:
[0138] one or more processors; one or more memories; and an
application, instructions, or program stored in the one or more
memories, wherein the application, instruction, or program executed
by the one or more processors:
[0139] accesses a tessellated map 204, the tessellated map
comprising a plurality of tiles 206 on a map 208 of the transit hub
202, wherein the tiles comprise: [0140] first tiles 210, each of
the first tiles including a different area of interest 210a on the
map; and [0141] second tiles 212, wherein a combination of the
second tiles includes a walkable area connecting the areas of
interest; and
[0142] causes a display 350, 632 of a mobile device coupled to the
one or more processors to [0143] indicate one of the first tiles
including one of the different areas of interest selected using
input from the user; [0144] indicate (using an indicator or map
annotator 214) the one of the second tiles including a location of
the mobile device on the map; and [0145] indicate (using indicator
or map annotator) a series 220 of the second tiles linking the
location to the one of the areas of interest.
[0146] 18. The system of example 17, wherein the application
requests input of the areas of interest comprising at least one
area selected from a boarding area, a ticketing area, a ticket
checking area, a crossing area, a shelter area, and an exit
area.
[0147] 19. The system of examples 17 or 18, wherein:
[0148] the application requests a destination served using a
departure from a boarding area in the transit hub; and
[0149] the one of the different areas of interest comprises the
boarding area.
[0150] 20. The system of example 19, wherein the application
receives or determines the boarding area using data on a server
computer coupled to the mobile device, the data comprising
information on the boarding area associated with a transport route
serving the destination from the transit hub.
[0151] 21. The system of example 20, wherein the transport route is
a bus route, a railway route, a taxi route, or a flight route.
[0152] 22. The system of any of the examples 17-21, wherein the
display or speaker indicates the one of second tiles including the
location of the user as the user moves in relation to the one of
the different areas of interest.
[0153] 23. The system of any of the examples 17-22, wherein the
display indicates the tiles on the display using a color.
[0154] 24. The system of any of the examples 17-23, wherein the
display indicates the tiles using highlighting or a representation
readable by the user comprising a visually impaired user.
[0155] 25. The system of any of the examples 17-24, wherein the
application causes the speaker of the mobile device to output:
[0156] a verbal signal identifying the second tile including the
user's current location with respect to a relevant landmark,
and
[0157] a verbal instruction providing a direction to the next tile
in the series of the tiles leading to the area of interest.
[0158] 26. The system of any of the examples 17-25, wherein the
tiles on the display are sized to represent an area in the transit
hub or plaza in a range of 1 foot by 1 foot to 10 feet by 10
feet.
[0159] 27. The system of any of the examples 17-26, wherein the
tiles are sized so that an entirety of the route is highlighted
using the tiles on a display of the mobile device.
[0160] 28. The system of any of the examples 17-27, wherein:
[0161] the tiles on the display comprise shapes or polygons,
and
[0162] the tessellated map comprises the tiles fitted together in a
pattern on the map without gaps or overlapping between the
tiles.
[0163] 29. The system of any of the examples 17-28, further
comprising the mobile device determining the location using a
global positioning system (GPS) or a beacon signal received in the
mobile device.
[0164] 30. The system of any of the examples 17-29, further
comprising the mobile device receiving the beacon signal
transmitted from one of a plurality of transmitters in the transit
hub or the plaza.
[0165] 31. The system of any of the examples 17-30, wherein the
application receives the tessellated map from a server computer in
response to a request from the application executed on the mobile
device.
[0166] 32. The system of any of the examples 17-31, wherein:
[0167] the plaza comprises a shopping mall, a hospital, office
buildings, or a factory, or
[0168] the transit hub comprises an airport, metro station, railway
station, or bus station.
[0169] 33. A computer implemented method, comprising:
[0170] creating tiles 206 for a navigating a transit hub 202 or
plaza 300 on a computer 600, including:
[0171] receiving 208 a map of the transit hub 202 or the plaza, the
map comprising a plurality of areas of interest 210a in the transit
hub or the plaza and a walkable area connecting the areas of
interest; and
[0172] tessellating the map to form a plurality of tiles 206 on the
map, wherein: [0173] the tiles comprise: [0174] first tiles 210,
each of the first tiles including a different one of the areas of
interest; and [0175] second tiles 212 including the walkable area,
and [0176] a series 220 of the tiles including one of the first
tiles and a plurality of the second tiles can be linked so as to
indicate a route 200 from one of the second tiles including a
user's location 218 on the map to one of the first tiles including
one of the different areas of interest selected by the user.
[0177] 34. A computer implemented system 600, comprising:
[0178] one or more processors; one or more memories; and one or
more programs stored in the one or more memories, wherein the one
or more programs executed by the one or more processors:
[0179] receive a map 208 of a transit hub or plaza, the map
comprising a plurality of areas of interest in the transit hub or
plaza and a walkable area connecting the areas of interest; and
[0180] tessellate the map to form a plurality of tiles on the map,
wherein: [0181] the tiles comprise: [0182] first tiles 210, each of
the first tiles including a different one of the areas of interest;
and [0183] a plurality of second tiles 212 including the walkable
area, and [0184] a series 220 of the tiles including one of the
first tiles and a plurality of the second tiles can be linked so as
to indicate a route 200 from one of the second tiles including a
user's location 218 on the map to one of the first tiles including
one of the areas of interest selected by the user.
[0185] 35. The method or system of any of the examples 17-34,
wherein the tiles are represented in a Geo-JSON format.
[0186] 36. The system of any of the examples 17-35, wherein the one
or more memories and the one or more processors are in a server
computer.
[0187] 37. A computer implemented system of any of the preceding
examples, comprising components stored in the memory that are
executed by the processor comprising a map annotator (e.g.,
highlighted tiles) that annotates the map and provides the
instructions to a display component or speaker component of the
mobile device to create or generate the highlighting or indicating
of the tiles; and a navigation component that extracts/receives
data used by the map annotator to indicate the tiles.
[0188] 38. The computer implemented system or method of any of the
preceding examples, comprising activating or utilizing the map in
real-time to provide navigation instructions in a real-world
environment.
[0189] 39. A navigation system or application or mapping system or
application comprising the system of any of the examples 17-38 or
using method of any of the examples 1-16.
[0190] In various examples, the methods and systems described
herein are integrated into a practical application (e.g., computer
implemented mapping system or navigation system) and improve
functioning of the mapping system, navigation system, and/or
computers implementing the mapping or navigation system.
Conclusion
[0191] This concludes the description of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention. The foregoing description of one or more
embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited
not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended
hereto.
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